Friday, December 30, 2011

Read this. I started last night at eight and did nothing but sit and read the majority of the day. I did do a little laundry and I did not neglect Jonah and Noah. Graham and Drew helped me out by sleeping all day, though. By three thirty, I'd finished this book.

For those of you who need something visual, maybe this suits you better:

Not only do I read them, I get other people to read them. If you haven't, I urge you to try them. Although she is a phenomenal author, her writing inspired me to deepen my walk with the Lord a bunch of years ago. Well, six or seven. Coming up on seven. God speaks through the pages that she writes...and He uses her in ways that only He could.

There's a reason her books are called "Life Changing Fiction".

Try them. But have some Kleenex handy. She really brings out the tears. But man, is it worth it.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

We know what the meaning of Christmas is. My kids know what the meaning of Christmas is. One of my favorite Bible verses that I memorized in 2011 (and my very first for the year) is James 1:17: All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with Whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.

I love what gift giving symbolizes: that God gave us the ultimate gift, His son, so that we could have eternal life.

I love what Christmas time is: family. Lots and lots of family.

It's not rushing around, finding the perfect gifts (although we did some of that too, we just didn't make a big deal out of it). It is about quality time spent with those you love the most.

Like these. And all the other ones in my family I didn't get pictures of.

When I think back to some of my favorite times as a young child, they were always when I was with my family.

It's about being together.

It's about dinners shared around a table.

It's about time spent talking. And laughing. And enjoying one another.

I don't want my kids to remember time spent doing foolish things. I want them to remember how much we loved being with our family.

(And if you're reading this and you're in my family, but not pictured here, please don't be upset. I have other pics of you all, but they're on my phone. And I'm writing this while the boys are all sleeping. Just know that you're included.)

How did you spend your Christmas?

My beautiful niece Amanda is the one that inspired this blog post. She wrote a gorgeous portrayal of her Christmas spent with her husband and my darling grand-niece, Claire. You can click HERE to read what they did to celebrate. Thanks for the inspiration, Amanda. :)

Saturday, December 24, 2011

I'm sitting in my living room in silence. The hubby and kids are still asleep, and the only one downstairs to keep me company is Crash. I haven't even turned on the Christmas tree...but then again, I never do. Noah is the official boy that does that everyday. He started this when he was three.

My furry companion is awfully curious this morning. He's not sure what to think about all the presents under the tree. He's been a good boy, though, and has not messed with the first thing. Ornament OR present. I'm proud of him.

I cannot believe that today is Christmas eve, and in a mere week we will be saying goodbye to 2011. Whatever happens to make time go by so quickly? It happens after you have kids. When you're young, time can't seem to move fast enough, and you're always wishing away those precious years. And then, when you become a parent, you can do nothing but watch it quickly slip out of your fingers. I so often want to just freeze time. I try really hard to enjoy the moment the boys are in. I don't always, but I do always try my hardest. Whether it's the not so fun argumentative times, the times when they think you don't know what you're talking about, or whether it's quite possibly their last year of innocence (as in believing in you know who). I know how important it is to live every moment like it's your last.

Time is precious. I want my kids to remember a loving home...not necessarily one that was the biggest or best decorated, but a home that was filled with love, laughter and warm memories. I was having an online conversation with a friend a few weeks ago who lost two (out of three) of her sons last Veteran's day. She would give anything in the world to enjoy one more Christmas with them. Just one more hug. One more conversation. One more "I love you". She probably wonders if she ever took time for granted, even though I'm sure she didn't. She was exactly the kind of mom that I hope to be for my boys.

I don't want to do that. I don't want to take one single moment for granted. I'm not the best mom. I'm not the most kind or the most patient. I completely fly off my handle sometimes and yell at them. And I'm sure that I will do this again....over and over again, until they're adults. But I don't want them to remember that. I don't want them to think that I talk "down" to them all the time, or that I always talked in a mean way. I want them to feel valued and treasured. Even if the story consists of something that takes Noah fifteen minutes to tell me. I want to be patient with them. I want them to remember that I was a flawed mom...but that I wasn't ever too proud to apologize to them.

Why do we let apologies be so painful? Why do we let wasted time spent in fights consume us so? If we would just stop and say those precious little words, and mean them...how much fuller would our lives be?

I'm so sad to say that my family will not all be together this Christmas. Some are not able to come because of living away, and some won't be there for other reasons. I know that it's hard on parents when all their children can't be with them.

I am challenging myself (feel free to join me) to make the most out of whatever time I am given. Time with my husband, with my boys, with our extended families, even time spent in the company of people I don't know. I'm challenging myself to make good use of that time. With strangers, I'm going to try and be more bold with my faith. I've been doing that this Christmas season, and I hope that I have planted some seeds. I hope that my "May God bless you this Christmas" has taken roots in someone's heart. I pray that God gives me courage to continue doing this all year long.

Looking back over the year, I remember in January that Klove radio station issued a challenge to all its listeners. The challenge was to find a word, any ONE word, and make it your word for the year. I'm sure you remember me talking about this...anyway, after much thought and careful deliberation over my one word (there are so MANY amazing words!!!), I decided on "steadfast".

STEADFAST.

Definition of STEADFAST

1

a: firmly fixed in place :immovableb: not subject to change steadfast doctrine of original sin — Ellen Glasgow>

I thought that the meaning of the word challenge was to "be" that word. It's funny how we always think one way, and God thinks a whole other way. (“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8,9)

But that wasn't it at all. God showed me this year, 2011, that He was going to be steadfast to me. But in times when I wanted to quit...He wouldn't let me. In times when I wanted to give up, He was there to guide me another way. When I thought my heart would break over leaving our beloved First Assembly, He led us straight into another amazing body of believers...one that we have fit right into and that we now consider "home". When I didn't think I could memorize over twenty Bible verses in a year, He gave me the strength to keep pushing on. When I got frustrated at my husband for nothing at all (except that maybe he was breathing), He showed me that that was not appropriate for a Godly wife...and that I should say "I'm sorry".

He has been amazingly steadfast to me all this year. And He will continue to be steadfast to me, as long as I keep walking in His ways. I don't know why He is so good to me, but He is, and I give Him all the credit. I didn't "do" anything to deserve this unspeakable gift...and you don't have to, either. Grace is a free gift...for any and all who want it. All you have to do is ask, believe, confess...and He's all yours.

I don't really want anything else for Christmas this year. Even though I know I'll get gifts, His presence is the only thing I need. His grace is sufficient for me. It can be for you, too.

Well, I told you that someone would be awake by the time I was finished writing this. It kind of went all over the place didn't it? I just love when God reveals something to me, like He did this morning. He is so gracious to do that...to allow us little glimpses of Him. He's always there, always around....all we have to do is look for Him. I see Him in everything. The outdoors, my kids, sunshine, even in our animals...He is the wonderful Master, Creator of all...and He abides in me.

I hope the best for you this Christmas. I pray that you take the time to enjoy the moment you're in...and that you make some memories with those you love. Merry Christmas, and may my sweet Jesus bless you today, and every other day of your life.

"All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with Whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change." James 1:17

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Our laptop chord bit the dust a couple weeks ago. And the battery was nothing to brag about. And while I do have a smart phone and a touch tablet, it's not quite the same as a laptop. Well, guess what came in yesterday??? Our chord! Woohoo!!! So, back to blogging for me. :)

My birthday was last Wednesday. I think I crossed over into a new age bracket. :( I'm now thirty-five. On the upside, I had a few people tell me I didn't look it. I love them.

I saw a facebook status that I loved this morning and thought I would share. It said: "I'm not ready for Christmas to be here in four days. Why? Because then it will all be over and the sweet spirit of Christmas will be gone. Let's keep the Spirit of Jesus alive all year." Isn't that true?

I am in love with the beautiful color on my nails right now. OPI's Black Onyx with Sephora's Sugar Plum Fairies Gone Wild on top. Black and purply-sparkles.

I am SO THANKFUL that God gave me such an amazing man for a husband. He might not "facebook-write" that he loves me as much as he does, but he doesn't have to. Instead of writing it for all the facebook world to see, he keeps it to himself and shows me every single moment of every single day how much he loves and cares for me. The little things he does on a day to day basis are more precious than almost anything to me. For instance, yesterday I had to call him and thank him for being so awesome. Why? Because he has done most of the Christmas shopping this year. DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I DETEST SHOPPING???????????

The "facebook-write" statement was a hit in the head revelation for me yesterday. I am always teasing Todd about how some men write how amazing and wonderful their wife is, and how the only time he writes it is when I hack into his profile. :) He knows I do this, yes. I was driving to get the boys yesterday (and praying at the same time) and all of a sudden, I prayed, "God thank you for a man who SHOWS me his unconditional love each day...not by writing it out on a (non)reality social network so people will see, but by doing all the things he does for me. Big and small. Like taking care of all the Christmas shopping."

I am so thankful for him. He is not perfect, but he is perfect for me. He's my husband, my best friend, and the greatest dad ever. He is always showing us the many ways he loves us. (And he doesn't resort to facebook PDA.)

I know, I know...I'm probably stepping on toes here. I don't mean to, honestly, I'm just writing out my thoughts.

Moving on.

I have read a LOT of Christmas books this year. A lot, a LOT. I love them. My favorite Christmas author is Debbie Macomber. I love all of her books, but her Christmas ones are just plain magical.

I read a funny blog on the Elf on a Shelf. Did you see it circulate on facebook? It cracked me up...and was so incredibly true. I was going to buy one, I'm not going to lie...but my husband (and now I, too) thinks it's the dumbest thing ever invented. How do you explain all the years PRIOR to the elf on a shelf? Hmmmmm?

I have watched a lot of Christmas movies in the past few days. One of which is Elf. I think it might be my all time favorite.

We got a new cable provider this week, and lots of my Christmas movies were deleted. :(

Well, I need a second cup of coffee, Evil Knievel needs to be scared with a newspaper, and my nose is running. Those are all good reasons to stop writing. And my kids might be hungry. But then again, they might not...they're in the dining room playing Life.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

It's no joke that I get bored with my hair. If I can't change the style, I change the color. This weekend, I was a little in need of some touching up on the highlights. So, we did that. My mom and I. It's a several hour long process, starting with me at my house, then with me at her house. Sometimes I like the color, and sometimes I think, "What in the world was I thinking?"

So, this being the week that I officially hit "my mid-thirties", I thought I would show you what this weekend looked like. From my poor husband's perspective.

This was Friday. And, of course, the color looks good considering I'm about to change it a little.

This was Saturday afternoon. In order to get the blond out, I always have to go darker first. That's the first step. My hair has to be completely dry before we can highlight it.

Next step, Mom's house.

Last step. It's highlighted again (a little more this time, and a different color), and dried. And all the lipstick came off from consuming the yummy dinner we had just finished. (This handsome man is my nephew, Tyler. We share the same birthday, and tonight we celebrated at my mom's house.)

I don't know which I like better...I know I definitely prefer it highlighted. I just don't know for sure if I like all the extra highlights I have this time. It is different, and I do always like that. I'm sure I'll get used to it...it's always just an adjustment. And kind of a shock when I happen to see it in a bathroom mirror in the middle of the night.

I know this post is very different, but since it's the week I hit my mid-thirties, I thought, "Why not?"

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Seriously. I totally "get" my sister Debi thinking Ashton Kutcher is always hiding around the corner with the crew of that show Punk'd. I get it.

As I write this, Evil Knievel is banned to the dog bed. He's sulking because he's in trouble, and Andy the Wonder Dog is pacing the floor. My downstairs flows from one room into the next, and he's made the circle a good ten times in half that many minutes. Maybe it's because he's a little in trouble himself. He growled at me when I tried to get the bone back that he stole from EK.

(And if you haven't figured it out yet, the pup is EK only when he's been bad.)

I have to admit that I'm a little bothered by Andy when he growls. It's not a little whimper. It's a deep down, from his gut sound that makes my hair stand on edge.

Even though I don't think he would bite me, I smacked him with the rolled up newspaper I was about to smack EK with. Just because I had it handy and because he scared the daylights out of me.

Maybe this is my payback for not going to Bible study tonight.

As much as I love it, I didn't finish the week's homework. And that bothers me. Plus, Jonah and Noah didn't really want to go watch themselves perform their Christmas program. And they would have sat there for 45 minutes doing just that, before moving on to RA's.

Not that I always let them decide what to do, but after my busy week and crazy afternoon, it just seemed like a good idea to stay home tonight. Graham and Drew went, though...I just dropped them off.

It's one of the bonuses of living within walking distance to your church. Amazing, I tell you. Simply amazing.

Anyway...because of the snow, EK is having to take care of his business in the front yard. The back yard is a muddy/snowy swamp. So before I fed the dogs, I asked Noah to take them outside. I fed them, and they came in. Well, Andy came in all nice and calm. EK bounded in like a bat out of hell (not cursing at you, I'm talking about the place), stepped in Andy's dog bowl and managed to get Andy's food all over kingdom come.

All while poor Andy looked on with his little sad eyes.

Thinking (because not only do our animals think, they speak to us), once again, "You got me a new furry friend WHY???".

I could almost hear him sigh in frustration. Hence the pacing.

Noah tried to clean up the dog food, but I finally gave up. So Andy and EK got a little bonus dinner tonight. Or maybe it was doggy dessert. Oh, wait...nope. Dessert was the popcorn that kept dropping to the floor while we ate.

So you see why we were forced to eat this for dinner.

It's got some dairy content, right? And grains from the chips?

Does this go well with the popcorn and hot chocolate they all had at five o'clock?

I know, I know...I'm making you jealous with my mad parental skills. ;-)

Don't judge.

It's hard to believe that something this cute can be so much trouble. But he is sometimes. I know he's a puppy and all, but sometimes he is so mischievous. I keep thinking 'memories, memories, MEMORIES!!!

When I think of the memories we'll have from him and how, someday, he will be a wonderful (non-mischievous) companion, it makes it all worth while.

Sometimes we just have nights like these.

I'm treasuring them. I promise, I am treasuring them. I wouldn't trade one single second of my life for all the money in the world. I know my boys will have wonderful memories of their childhood...not because of us, but because of all the crazy fun we had when they were young.

I know someday I will miss Drew singing a mixed up Christmas carol about why I should be thankful that he likes to play with matches. (Do not freak out. He doesn't.)

I know someday I will miss the sound of Jonah and Noah pooting in the tub while they take a bath.

I know someday I will miss having messes to clean up. Or will I???

All too soon they will not be around for me to have funny stories to write to you about. That makes me sad.

And as for all the above...even if I am going a little bit crazy, this is my life and I love it.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Apparently, this is yet another title that I use frequently. The blog remembers it, for goodness sake. If that tells you anything.

Moving on now.

I thought I would share why I feel this way right now. Sunday night we were honored to be able to attend the sweetest Christmas musical I have ever been to. It was at our church, and it was all done by kids. It was led by an amazingly talented lady, and the only people in it were kids. Not kids that had perfect voices, or who looked a certain way. Not kids that were hired so that it would be more "perfect". But just precious, simple, everyday, kids.

And two of mine were in it.

Jonah and Noah have never been in an all (and only) kids program. I have to be honest and tell you that they were not thrilled with the prospect of this...but at my prodding, they toughed it out. And by the time Sunday night rolled around, they were so excited about being in it. They were even more excited at all the family that came to see them. We are so blessed to live near family and all these grandparents. With the exception of Mimi, they were all in attendance. (She couldn't come because of the Christmas program at her church.)

I will also admit that I cried through the majority of it. Several little girls sang so beautifully that I was blinking furiously to keep the tears from falling. They still fell, though. I couldn't help it. It was so sweet and pure, and it was from their hearts. Hearts with nothing in mind but spreading the love of Jesus. They weren't focused on perfection and whether or not everything went without any glitches. They focused only on Who mattered the most...and He was glorified during their performance. They were all singing for Him.

The other reason I feel so blessed is that tonight I got to cook dinner for one of the sweetest men I know. Well, actually Graham did the majority of the cooking, but I helped. Today is my sweet stepdad's birthday. Bill is so much more than just a stepdad. He is caregiver, brother, son, chef, friend, husband, Dad and Big Daddy. I am so thankful for the day that my mom met him. Our lives were forever changed that day...and only for the good.

He takes care of my mom. He cooks most of their meals. He provides...not only for Mom and him, but for others. There were times when we didn't know where our next medical bill payment was going to come from, and he came to the rescue. He loves our boys in a way that only he can...and it is mutual. He cooks them their favorite meals, and has almost once a week since they were babies. We've eaten with them weekly since the week after we returned from our honeymoon...it's something we've always enjoyed, and the time we spend with him and Mom is priceless.

Bill was told one time by a complete stranger, that Noah looked just like him...there was no denying HIS grandson. :) He shares his food with them...like the time when Drew told him, "Big Daddy, dip that sandwich in that gravy and give me another bite." (He was eating a French dip from McAllister's.) He just shared the nacho's from there the other night after the children's program. And I'm pretty sure he always gives Drew the better half.

He finally got smart and stopped asking Drew what he wanted in restaurants...and just started ordering him whatever he ordered himself. Like shrimp scampi. Or salmon. Or steak. Yes, he has introduced them all to those lovely expensive foods.

He has been around for meltdowns (mine and the kids), he has seen Todd mad when his team lost, happy when they won, he's witnessed Drew almost falling down a mountain, he's traveled with all of my kids for hours on end, and he's heard them all snore. Or sing in their sleep. Ahem, Jonah.

He has filled in the gaps for me on many occasions in school...like when Todd is either out of town or unable to come to a special event that requires dads.

Saying we appreciate and love him don't do this man justice. But we do. We are blessed to have him in our family. He makes us proud. We are truly blessed. I thank God for him.

Monday, December 5, 2011

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.
4 to Him Who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.
5 Who by His understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever.
6 Who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever.
7 Who made the great lights-His love endures forever.
8 the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever.
9 the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.
10 to Him Who struck down the firstborn of Egypt His love endures forever.
11 and brought Israel out from among them His love endures forever.
12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever.
13 to Him Who divided the Red Sea asunder His love endures forever.
14 and brought Israel through the midst of it, His love endures forever.
15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea; His love endures forever.
16 to Him Who led His people through the desert, His love endures forever.
17 Who struck down great kings, His love endures forever.
18 and killed mighty kings-His love endures forever.
19 Sihon king of the Amorites His love endures forever.
20 and Og king of Bashan-His love endures forever.
21 and gave their land as an inheritance, His love endures forever.
22 an inheritance to His servant Israel; His love endures forever.
23 to the One Who remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever.
24 and freed us from our enemies, His love endures forever.
25 and Who gives food to every creature. His love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.

Isaiah 55

8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

It's been another amazing weekend. (Aside from some REALLY strange dreams I've been having.) The parade Friday night was so much fun. My dad went with us, and once we were there, we met up with some friends. I never get tired of watching this...and someday, when my kids are all too cool to go with me, I will probably just go find someone with kids that are still little enough to enjoy it.

I love it.

There was a little boy that got ran over, though...I don't know the whole story, but he got ran over by a float. So, if you think of him, pray for him...I'm assuming he's pretty young.

My mom and I did some Christmas shopping on Saturday...hers, not mine. I helped her shop for the boys, and I picked out my birthday and Christmas from her. :) I came home and did a little bit of cooking for a couple different parties, and we all split up. Jonah and Noah went next door to our neighbors, Graham and Drew went to a Wyldlife party, and Todd and I went to our (new) Sunday school class party. It was a really fun night...I think we finally found a good match for us in Sunday school. Before we started coming to our new church, we had not attended Sunday school in two years. Not because we couldn't get there, but because there wasn't one that we felt like we fit into. At our new church, there are tons of options in classes, and you're encouraged to visit as many as you can. Because sometimes it takes a long time to find that one that "fits".

I think we found it, though. :)

After the party, we gathered up our kids, and I went over to my best friend's house. Just for some girl time. We're trying to make more of an effort to get together more often...even if it's in short amounts...because it's really important. And who doesn't need time like that??

Today we have church, and tonight is Jonah's and Noah's Christmas program. I cannot wait! I don't know how excited they are, but I'm thrilled. For those of you who know Jonah, this is a huge step for him...he is such a behind-the-scenes kind of kid. Like his daddy. For him to willingly get up on a stage with a big group of kids and sing, all while people are watching him, is a huge milestone. He did this one year a few years ago at our old church, and there was a boy who was cutting up behind Jonah. All the bigger kids watching were laughing at that boy, and Jonah burst into tears, thinking they were all laughing at him. It was awful. Todd had to go up to the stage, pick him up, and carry him out of the chapel.

God love his little heart.

So you see how huge this is for him. I'm so excited...and I will be praying for my sweet little Jonah bug this afternoon...for him not to be nervous or apprehensive.

Well, that's about all we've done...our weekend in a nutshell. It's been a great one...and it's not even over yet. :) Hope you've all enjoyed yours. Love to all!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

I've had a killer headache all afternoon. :-( Which is probably why, when I came home from work, I did nothing but sit in my recliner and watched t.v. I watched this week's episode of Glee, then watched an hour of Friends. Graham and Drew had a basketball game at school that they stayed after for, and my neighbor picked up all the kids.

It was blessed silence.

Well, kind of.

Dinner cooked in the crock pot all day, so all I had to do was add the veggies and potatoes to make it complete. We ate together, and my sweet hubby cleaned the kitchen for me afterward.

So...the chore issue mentioned in the title...it's no secret that we have four children. And messy ones, at that. They're required to take care of the animals (at least help with it...but this is something we all do), and they're required to carry all their (folded) laundry upstairs and to put it all away. They're responsible for keeping their rooms clean, and recently I've made them start cleaning their own bathroom. Because it's gross and why in blue blazes would I want to do that???

Ugh. At least I can hit the water. That's all I'm sayin'.

They also have to change the little boxes and clean the backyard.

Lately, they've slacked off in this area. One thing they have NOT slacked off from, though, is having fun. There are ALWAYS extra kids in this house...whether they're some of the ones I pick up in the the afternoon, or friends...it doesn't matter. They love having friends over, and it's almost always a party in either my yard or the playroom. So tonight, we decided we're going to have to start grounding them from the phone. Todd even threatened to put an auto-reply for all the texts they get, saying why they're grounded from the phone.

Sound mean?

We are officially over it. There's no reason why any of these boys should walk by a full trash can and not take out the trash. Or bring the trash can up the driveway on trash pickup day. And I don't want to have to tell them. I do enough talking as it is, without me having to remind them of what they should be doing.

Is that so unreasonable???

I feel they should take responsibility. Because we're not just raising boys. We're raising future husbands and fathers. And this is life. As much as it kills me to say this, we are not superheroes. ;-) We are hard working people that require the kids to pull their own weight. I do all the cooking and (most of the) cleaning, I wash, dry and fold their clothes, and I make sure that things stay organized enough so they will know where to put their belongings.

It's not that difficult to stay that way.

So, now that I have completely and totally vented on you...I'm thinking it's better that I wrote this instead of screamed it at them. ;-) Is it my headache that's making me feel that way?

I don't know. But tonight, when I go to bed, the upstairs will be all nice and clean. It's better to work on that tonight rather than the weekend, don't you think?

Do you have problems with this in your house? If so, share! I am always looking for new ideas.

Enjoy what's left of your night. Love to all!

P.s. In case you don't think that I ever completely and totally lose it with the boys, I'm thinking today I lived up to the sign that rests above my bedroom door. The one that my sister Lisa handed down to me. The one that reads:

Happy Thursday! We are officially on countdown mode till the weekend. :) Are you? I feel like I'm always counting down to something...although, I promise, I am NOT trying to rush through this life of mine! I'm usually counting down until we're out of school. Like for the weekend, a long break, or summer...stuff like that. I love being with my family. Bet you didn't know that, huh?

I'm so excited about the parade tomorrow night. Even though it will be freezing. That just makes it better!!! We will definitely be loading up on the blankets, gloves, coats, and hats. I'm sure Todd will be dressed up in his hunting coveralls. I love that man. I love him even more because he is manly and he is a redneck. I tell him all the time that he's my favorite. :)

So after yesterday's fun with Beth Sansone's Elf on a shelf, I'm totally thinking about buying one. I had way too much fun messing up her classroom! I'm hoping they're still available...so then I can home and mess up some things downstairs before all the kiddos get home from school. I'm pretty sure I can enlist Graham and Drew to help me. They love doing stuff like that now that they're older and know "the secret".

So, Graham and Drew keep talking me into driving them to school in the mornings. And I keep giving in. Not that I mind. I actually enjoy the extra time with them in the mornings, and they enjoy not having to rush to get out the door. I guess next year, they'll just be car riders all the time. Since they'll be in a new (farther away) school.

You will be pleased to learn that our puppy is doing better. For the moment. He really is a cute little thing, and I love the joy he brings my husband and boys. Todd, especially, LOVES him. He told me so last night. As the pup was asleep on his chest, snoring quietly. I think even Andy the Wonder Dog loves him. He sure does enjoy chasing him around in the backyard every morning. It's nice that he has a (sometimes annoying) playmate.

Well, I need to go fold clothes and dig out some jeans for Graham to wear today. I hope all of you have a blessed day. Love to all!